Playing baseball was difficult for members of the Washburn team a day after their coach, Steve Anson, died in an accident at his home. Being on the field, though, was the ideal way to honor him.

Four Ichabods — Evan Burdiek and Landon Hay of the Topeka Senators and Connor Crimmins and David Gauntt of the Topeka Golden Giants — took part in a ceremony to honor their fallen coach between games of a Mid-Plains League doubleheader Monday at Jerry Robertson Field.

“Honestly, for me — as well as David, Connor and Evan and even the other guys who knew coach Anson — we were just happy we got to play today,” Hay said. “I think we all know he would have wanted us to be right back out on the field. It’s definitely a tough day and we’re all still shocked and trying to deal with it, but just being able to be out on the ball field was helpful, especially with each other.

“The game was such a passion for him. You could see it every day in practice. Every day you could tell it was his life.”

Anson, 60, was killed in a tree-trimming accident Sunday. Missing the games Monday for the Golden Giants was Zach Linquist, Anson’s grandson who has signed to play at Washburn next season.

The doubleheader ended in a split, with the Senators snapping a three-game losing streak to win the opener 4-3 and the Golden Giants taking the second game 5-1.

“It was tough, but it was good to get back out here and play,” Crimmins said. “I know that’s what he would want us to do. I wish we could go tell him how it went because that’s the way it always was — play and then when I’d see him he’d ask how it’s going. He was always there for us.

“Being around a team like this is good because everyone is so supportive. A lot of them know coach Anson and played against him so they knew how great of a person and coach he was.”

The Senators (9-10, 7-8 league) prevailed in the opener in a pitcher’s duel between Ryan Colombo and the Giants’ Chris Moreno, who both allowed only one earned run. The Senators led 4-0 after five innings and survived a three-run sixth by the Giants, which included an RBI double by Crimmins.

The Giants (14-7, 10-6) scored three in the third inning of Game 2 with an RBI from Crimmins and received another strong pitching performance from Jacob Tetuan.

Hay led off the Senators’ fifth with a double and scored the team’s lone run.

“Before the game I just told myself to go out and have a little fun, smile a little bit and play well,” Hay said. “As soon as I hit the ball, I had a good feeling and I smiled. I don’t even know if I touched first base.”

Crimmins, Hay and Gauntt all hit a double in the twinbill.

“Coach A was definitely looking down on us and helping us get a few hits today,” Hay said.

“He would have been proud,” Crimmins said. “I just wish he was here to recount it with.”

NOTE

■ The Golden Giants and Senators play a doubleheader at 4:30 p.m. Tuesday.